3a Maintenance
Maintenance
Q: What is the maintenance phase of the employment cycle?
A: A set of activities that focus on retaining and managing employees’ careers.
Q: What are features of the maintenance stage?
A:
Employment contract review
Employment agreement review
Performance management (feedback/communication tool)
Q: Why is maintenance important?
A: To develop employees, retain top staff, establish career pathways, ensure job satisfaction, and reduce turnover.
Q: How is maintenance carried out?
A: By establishing communication channels, setting clear expectations, and aligning career objectives with organisational goals.
Employment Agreement
Q: Define an employment agreement.
A: A type of contract that sets out the minimum standards of employment for a group of employees or an industry.
Q: What are the types/features of employment agreements?
A:
Casual vs Permanent
Enterprise Agreements: minimum standards for a specific employer/workplace
Modern Awards: minimum standards for an industry/job type
Cannot be below National Employment Standards (NES)
Q: Why are employment agreements important?
A:
Governed by the Fair Work Act, administered by Fair Work Commission
Allow casuals working 12+ months to request permanent work
Modern Awards and Enterprise Agreements reviewed regularly
Ensure tasks/responsibilities match contract and pay rates
Q: How are employment agreements managed?
A:
Individually through performance management
Collectively via union negotiations for enterprise agreements
Employment Contract
Q: Define an employment contract.
A: The legally binding terms and conditions associated with an individual employee.
Q: What are features of an employment contract?
A:
Elements: Consideration, Intent, Agreement
Legal considerations: Capacity, Conduct, Legal Terms
Cannot provide less than NES, Modern Award, or Enterprise Agreement
Q: Why are employment contracts important?
A: They reflect employee responsibilities and pay, which change as experience or duties increase (e.g. promotion to keyholder in retail).
Q: How are employment contracts updated?
A:
Amended and re-signed when responsibilities/pay change
Casual to permanent conversion possible after 12 months
Usually reviewed during performance management
Performance Management
Q: Define performance management.
A: A formal discussion to assess progress towards goals or performance standards.
Q: What are features of performance management?
A:
Formal discussion
Feedback
Annual or biannual
Goal setting
Contract/job description review
Q: Why is performance management important?
A:
Organisation’s Benefits: improved performance, retention, communication, productivity, cost efficiency
Manager’s Benefits: saves time, reduces conflict, ensures efficiency
Employee’s Benefits: clarifies expectations, self-assessment, career pathways, improved job